Apparatus for breaking in shoes.



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APPARATUS FOR BREAKING IN-SHOES.

APPLICATION FILED APBHZB. 1909. 1,015,291 4 Patented Jan.23,1912.

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if i; i 7W l I f 24 1 L J G. P. BYRNES.

APPARATUS FOR BREAKING IN SHOES.

APPLICATION FILED ATB..28,1909.

A 1,015,291. Patented Jan.23, 1912.

QSHEETS-SEEET 2.

v5 m m WITNESSES INVENTOR 1 To all whom it may concern:

CLARENCE I. BYRNES, F SEWICKLEY, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR BREAKING IN SHOES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 23, 1912.

Application filed April 28, 1909. Serial No. 492,660.

- Be it known that I, CLARENCE I BYRNES, of Sewickley, Allegheny county,Pennsyh Vania, have invented a new and useful Apparatus for Breaking inShoes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description,reference being had .to the accompanying drawings, forming part of thisspecification, in which Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of oneform of apparatus arranged to carry out my invention; Fig. 2 isa similarview showing a modified form; and Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views showingone form of last which may be employed.

My invention'is designed to overcome or reduce the time, inconvenienceand discomfort of breaking in new shoes upon the foot of the, wearer.

To that end, it consists in mechanically breaking in shoes, eitherbefore or after the manufacture of the shoes is completed.

In carrying out the invention I mechanically flex one or more portionsof the shoe, preferably by mechanism which is rapid and quickacting, andin connection with a suitable flexible last or inner support, so that ina comparatively short time the shoe will be loosened up and broken-in,to largely reduce the discomfort and sometimes pain of new shoes.

In the form of Fig. 1, 2 is a supporting bracket, having at its top anadjustable transverse bar 3, to which is secured a depending sleeve 4.lVithin this sleeve telescopes a stem 5, which may be secured inadjusted position by a set-screw 6, or other suitable means. To thisstem is detachably secured by a bayonet lock device 7, or other suitablemeans, a flexible foot or last of proper size and shape to fit withinthe shoe to be operated upon. This last or artificial foot shouldpreferably be made of sufiiciently rigid material, such as wood, &o., togive a rigid and eflicient breaking-in action when the shoe is flexed.

In the form shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 the last is made in three-parts,8, 9 and 10, the parts 8 preferably being longitudinally divided orsplit so that it may be spread by the wedge 11 operated through theuniversal joint 12 by the screw-threaded stem 13 extending throughthreaded block 14 and operated by a wrench which may be inserted throughthe hole 15 in the rear part. A swivel connection 16 is provided in the1 patches.

I screw-threaded stem. The three parts may be separated by springs 17 toresist the flexingaction and return the shoe to its normal position. Thelast is also preferably rovided with detachable patches 18, w ich may beapplied to different parts thereof in order to stretch or ease up anyportion of the shoe during the breaking-1n action. The shoe is restedupon the oscillating support 19, pivoted at 20. and rocked through theconnecting rod 21, pivoted to crank pin 22 on the combined crank diskand worm wheel 23. This worm wheel is rotated through a worm connect-ion24 on the shaft of an electric motor 25, the motor thus bemg geared downto give a fairly rapid oscillating movement to the shoe support. Thesupport may also be preferably, adjusted along its pivot and secured inadjusted position by a slotted block connection therewith, as shown.

. In using the device the last is inserted in the shoe, with or withoutany suitable It may then be distended as desired, and the stem connectedand the shoe placed on the support by sliding the stem downwardly orotherwise. The 'motor is then started into action and a rapid flexing ofthe shoe 'isobtained somewhat similar to the 'action'in walking. As thefront portion of the shoe is flexed upwardly, its heel portion will tendto draw down and thus ease up the heel portion. The artificial foottions of the shoe will be alternately flexed. Other parts similar tothose of Fig. 1 are marked with similar numerals with the letter aapplied.

The advantages of my invention result from reducing the discomfort andpain incident to breaking in new shoes. The mechanical breaking-inoperation may be carried out either at the factory before or aftercompletion of the shoe, or at shoe stores, and will not only ease up theshoe and make wardly and downwardly so that both porit more comfortable,but may also be used to stretch portions of the shoe to suit theparticular wearer.

I am aware that exhibiting devices for shoes have been proposed, inwhich a shoe is cut open and given a movement somewhat "similar to awalking movement in order to The last-support may be actuated to flexthe shoe instead of moving the shoe sup- 20' port, and many otherchanges may be made in the form and arrangement of the apparatus withoutdeparting from my invention.

I claim 1. In apparatus for breaking in shoes, a

shoe support, a flexible last, a support-for the last, and connectionsarranged to set up an alternating relative movement between the last andshoe. support to flex both the heel and toe portions of the shoe,substantially as described.

2. In apparatus for breaking in shoes, a flexible last arranged to beinserted in the shoe, 9. carrier for the last, a support on which theshoe loosely rests, and connections arranged to set up an oscillatorymovement between the last and shoe support.

3. In apparatus for breaking in shoes, 9. flexible last, a carriertherefor, a support for the shoe, and connections arranged to set up arelative motion between the last carrier and thesupport corresponding tothe movement in walking, whereby the shoe is flexed both, at the heeland toe; substantially as described.

4. In apparatus for breaking in shoes, a flexible last, a fixed supporttherefor, a car'- rier on which the shoe rests, and mechanism foroscillating said carrier in both direc-' tions to flex both the heel andtoe portions of the shoe; substantially as described.

5. In apparatus for breaking in shoes, a rigid support for the shoe, aflexible last, a support for the last, and connections arranged to setup a relative motion between the last support and the shoe support tooscillate at least a portion of the shoe; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

CLARENCE P. BYRNES.

Witnesses:

G. M. VIERB, H. M. CQRWIN.

